| Buying a treadmill? Chances are you'll want | | | | these stores because the treadmill brands are |
| to comparison shop to find the best deal for | | | | made by more than 1 giant treadmill |
| you. Looking at all of the options available | | | | manufacturing company. |
| can often save you hundreds of dollars. | | | | |
| | | | Sales people are typically more knowledgeable |
| But where can you look? | | | | at these stores and can tell you more about |
| | | | the treadmill models, what you need, etc. |
| There are in general 3 places you can buy | | | | However be careful as these salespeople are |
| your tread mill. This article will outline | | | | often on commission and may try to pressure |
| what you should know about each. You'll | | | | you into buying a higher priced machine than |
| learn the advantages and disadvantages - to | | | | you actually need. |
| help you find the best treadmill buy. | | | | |
| | | | You'll also typically have to pay for |
| #1 Department Stores | | | | shipping and delivery of your treadmill when |
| | | | you buy at one of these stores (which could |
| Department stores like Walmart, Sears, and | | | | cost you $150-200 depending on the size of |
| Target sell a variety of name brand | | | | your treadmill). However if you hit these |
| treadmills in their sports and fitness | | | | stores on a sale, you may be able to get a |
| departments. | | | | discount or free shipping. |
| | | | |
| What you should know: Although these stores | | | | #3 Online - Direct From the Manufacturer |
| may appear to offer several different brand | | | | |
| names they are almost always produced by one | | | | Buying a treadmill online is an option that |
| manufacturer - Icon Health and Fitness. | | | | is growing in popularity with buyers. There |
| | | | are both online fitness stores and online |
| Icon is one of the largest treadmill | | | | treadmill manufacturers. |
| manufacturers on the market today and | | | | |
| produces such brands as Proform, Weslo, Epic, | | | | What you should know: Online manufacturers |
| Image, Nordic Track, Free Spirit and Reebok. | | | | sell direct to the consumer, in effect |
| | | | skipping the middleman of the store. |
| These treadmills have lots of neat gadgets | | | | Consequently customers can save up to $800 on |
| like CD players, TV's, iFit compatibility and | | | | a brand name treadmill. |
| more. However, they are not necessarily | | | | |
| known for high quality cushioning, stability | | | | Buying online is also easy and convenient |
| or durability. | | | | since you can research treadmill brands and |
| | | | prices from the comfort of your living room. |
| They also typically offer short warranties. | | | | You have a much larger selection of treadmill |
| For many of the cheaper treadmills, 90 days | | | | brands than either option above and can thus |
| on parts and labor is all you get. If you | | | | make a better buying decision. |
| want a longer warranty you'll have to pay | | | | |
| extra for it. | | | | Another bonus is that online distributors |
| | | | typically offer free shipping which can also |
| Salespeople at these department stores are | | | | save you a couple hundred dollars. There are |
| often not very knowledgeable about | | | | no pushy salespeople to deal with so you can |
| treadmills, fitness or how to choose the | | | | take your time to decide without any |
| right treadmill based on your personal needs. | | | | pressure. |
| So if you need to buy from a department store | | | | |
| make sure you do your homework before you go. | | | | The downside of buying a treadmill online is |
| | | | that you don't get to walk on the treadmill |
| Also, at a department store, you'll usually | | | | first. Many people get around this by trying |
| have to pay extra for shipping and delivery | | | | them out at stores first and then buying the |
| of your treadmill (around $150 - $200) so | | | | treadmill online (if possible). |
| that's also an extra cost to consider. | | | | |
| | | | Or you could do the research and invest in a |
| #2 Specialty Sports and Fitness Stores | | | | high end treadmill brand with high ratings |
| | | | from experts and users. (Several treadmill |
| These are stores like Fitness Depot, Dick's | | | | websites will list any expert awards or user |
| Sporting Goods, Sport Chalet etc. | | | | reviews for you to read.) |
| | | | |
| What you should know: These stores typically | | | | So those are 3 main places to buy your |
| offer you higher end treadmill brands like | | | | treadmill. Regardless of where you buy your |
| Precor, Landice, Trimline, Star Trac, Keys | | | | tread mill, remember to take your time, have |
| and more. | | | | fun and consider your own personal workout |
| | | | needs before buying. |
| You technically get a larger selection at | | | | |